Rekortan M and LigaTurf Cross R at the Uhlenkrug: Modern Athletics Meets Tradition in Essen

Essen’s Uhlenkrugstadion has long been a cornerstone of local sporting culture – the home ground of ETB Schwarz-Weiß Essen  and a venue steeped in over a century of history. Between the Summer of 2024 and May 2025, the stadium and its adjacent grounds entered a new chapter. Following an extensive renovation led by Polytan, the facility now blends its proud heritage with cutting-edge athletic infrastructure, serving a wide spectrum of users ranging from elite players to young talents and the wider sports community.

At the heart of the redevelopment is a newly installed six-lane running track made of Rekortan M. Laid atop an elastic base layer, the surface was selected in a sophisticated slate grey – a visual nod to ETB’s traditional black-and-white colour scheme. Once a red cinder track, the Uhlenkrug circuit is now a high-performance arena for sprinting, distance training, and jumping events. Rekortan M is renowned worldwide as a premier competition-grade surface. Its multi-layered solid construction delivers outstanding acceleration and superior shock absorption, making it ideal for both professional athletes and dedicated amateurs. The embedded EPDM granules are specially formulated to interact with spikes, enhancing traction and performance on every stride.

Beyond its technical excellence, Rekortan M also reflects Polytan’s commitment to sustainability. Composed of up to 49% recycled and renewable raw materials, it is one of the most environmentally responsible track systems on the market. With more than 150 World Athletics-certified installations across the globe, Rekortan M continues to set the benchmark for synthetic athletics tracks.

The new running track encircles the existing natural grass football pitch in the stadium. However, a unique feature of the upgrade lies in the added functional zones between the infield and the track itself. These smaller areas, surfaced with LigaTurf Cross R, now serve as warm-up zones and technical training spaces. One of them has been outfitted as a football tennis court – a popular tool for coordination drills and active recovery. This smart integration allows for seamless transitions between warm-up routines and competition, supporting optimal athlete preparation.

Just behind the main stand, Polytan also installed a full-size synthetic turf training pitch using LigaTurf Cross R with sand infill. This state-of-the-art system blends textured and smooth fibres to deliver a natural ball feel with long-lasting durability, even under frequent use. Designed in part with recycled materials, LigaTurf Cross R is not only technically advanced but also environmentally conscious. The training pitch serves ETB’s senior squad as well as youth teams from U13 to U19, providing a reliable surface for high-volume football activity regardless of weather conditions.

The facility has quickly become a hub of local and regional sporting life. While ETB Schwarz-Weiß Essen is the primary tenant, the Uhlenkrug is also home to top-level youth events, including the prestigious Otto-Rehhagel-Cup, which welcomed teams such as Borussia Dortmund, Rot-Weiss Essen and SV Meppen in June 2025. Local schools and athletics clubs also make use of the grounds for physical education, training camps and seasonal competitions. Though the venue is not open to the general public on a drop-in basis, external organisations may request access for events and training sessions – reflecting the City of Essen’s broader mission to foster inclusive community sport through targeted infrastructure investment.

With the transformation now complete, the Uhlenkrugstadion and its surrounding facilities offer a unique combination of historical significance and future-ready athletic quality. Whether for record-breaking performances, spirited training sessions or youth development, the new Polytan surfaces provide the foundation for sporting excellence in Essen – today and for years to come.

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